British American Tobacco Malta focuses on Malta’s heritage enhancement

Held under the theme of “Bringing value everyday to the society”, all employees of the British American Tobacco Malta dedicated a day’s work at Fort Rinella in Kalkara where they planted olive tree saplings in three areas around the historic site as part of the annual corporate social responsibility day of the company.

The initiative took place in cooperation with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA), a voluntary non-governmental organisation active in the field of heritage preservation. Fort Rinella is one of a series of four coastal batteries built by the British in Malta and in Gibraltar between the years 1878 and 1886.  Up till the mid-1930s, it served as a Position Finding Station for nearby Fort Ricasoli.  The property was surrendered to the Government of Malta in 1965. Since 1991, this iconic heritage of Malta has been undergoing restoration by volunteers from FWA - Malta Heritage Foundation. 

British American Tobacco Malta Head of Trade Charles Saliba said: “A central part of being a sustainable business is operating with integrity and responsibility. As a socially-aware and responsible business, we understand the role of private sector in contributing to the community by encouraging the protection of our heritage. This collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna forms part of our continuous social responsibility, bringing value everyday to the Maltese society.

FWA Chairman Mario Farrugia said: “Our Foundation welcomes any assistance and support from both corporates, institutions and individuals. For this purpose, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is grateful for the support extended by British American Tobacco Malta and its employees as this contributes towards the upkeep and maintenance of Fort Rinella in Kalkara.”

British American Tobacco was formed in 1902 as a joint venture between the UK’s Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company, founded by James ‘Buck’ Duke. In 1907, BAT set up a sales depot in Malta. In mid-1950s, Rothmans set up a factory in Malta operating under the name of Carreras.

In 1972, BAT and Rothmans established a factory operating under the name of Central Cigarette Company Limited (CCCL). In 1999, BAT and Rothmans merged globally ensuring a smooth transition of CCCL into the BAT Group. Following Malta’s entry into the EU, BAT Malta refocused as a trade marketing organisation.